MSU is the leader in study abroad participation among public universities in the United States and is one of four universities in the nation that rank in the top 10 for both study abroad and international student enrollment.

Whether MSU students are going abroad or coming to campus from other countries, they’re in for life-changing experiences—ones that just might change the world.

Nearly 3,000 students participate in study abroad programs each year, visiting destinations that span the globe, with opportunities to live, learn, experience different cultures, and even conduct research on all seven continents and in more than 60 countries. In addition, more than 50 MSU study abroad programs offer a community engagement component in which students have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the people and places they visit.

Incoming MSU students have the opportunity to study in another country before setting foot on campus. In freshman seminars abroad, students explore intriguing global issues and cultures by traveling to places such as Italy, South Africa, Japan, and New Zealand.

International experiences continue to benefit students long after they return to campus. An MSU study assessing the impact of study abroad on student learning found that students who study abroad take less time to graduate and have a higher cumulative grade point average at the time of graduation.

MSU students also can increase their understanding of critical global issues on campus by simply talking to classmates.

Michigan State has one of the largest international student populations of any university in the United States. A talented community of students and scholars from 130 countries brings diverse experiences and perspectives that add immeasurable value and depth to the intellectual exchange among students and faculty.

2013 Freshman Seminar in JapanIn August, a group of incoming MSU students traveled to Japan as part of the two-week freshman seminar A Day in the Life: Popular Culture, School, and Media in Japan. In addition to lectures, course readings, and day trips, each MSU student was paired with an English-speaking Japanese student, and together they compared popular culture, school life, and media in Japan and the United States.

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Learn about the many exciting study abroad opportunities available at the Study Abroad Fair on September 26.